The Metro Theatre, Sydney
Saturday July 28, 2018 :
British alternative rockers Nothing But Thieves return to Australian shores off the back of the release of their sophomore album Broken Machine, released September 2017. After selling out the Inner West’s Factory Theatre this week, their second show announced at the Metro Theatre has sold out just as quick.
The Saturday night buzz and anticipation from the “NBT” crowd was filled with excited energy minutes before the boys entered the stage. Singer Conor Mason, lead guitarist Joe Langridge-Brown, guitarist Dom Craik, bassist Phillip Black, and drummer James Price entered the stage to a huge roar from the crowd and by the look on their faces, they were clearly just as happy as everyone else to be there.
The opening track ‘I Was Just A Kid’ (also the opening track to their Broken Machine album) was a great opener for the show. Beginning with syncopated bass lines, catchy lead guitar, and of course singer Conor’s lower range, which drives higher as the song builds. ‘Number 13’ was next followed by an older hit ‘Wake Up Call’, all hard driving rock tracks contributing to a strong start to a monster set.
All band members were in awe of the crowd. Conor encouraged the crowd to sing back the words on almost all songs, which they successfully did. Conor has a voice like no other, absolute rocking pipes with a huge vocal range that soared over the loving metro crowd and sea of hands.
A few melodic tracks followed, with Conor on the acoustic guitar with a track they claimed “was a different one for them“, ‘Soda’. It was more of a softer sing a long complimented by lead guitarist Joe’s licks and rocky riffs that go hand in hand with the vocal parts. ‘Broken Machine’ was another, featuring synth electronic sounds layered with their classic alternate rock sound.
The band worked tightly together. Their songs have a way of making you feel on the edge of your seat until all of a sudden it drops and you cant help but throw yourself back and forth to their incredible progressive beats, rock verses, and climactic choruses. Conor is so charismatic and loveable. He interacted with the crowd perfectly, flashing his goofy grin which had them swooning as he grooved along the stage.
Another stand out track mid set was ‘Trip Switch’ where in the 2nd chorus Conor, had the whole Metro singing together as he stopped to watch with appreciation. ‘If I Get High’, a slower number which shows of their softer side and Conor’s soothing high vocal range. They finished with ‘Sorry’ before leaving the stage, still completely amazed of how well received they were by every fan in the packed Metro Theatre.
For their highly anticipated encore they played crowd favourites ‘Itch’ and ‘Amsterdam’, which they finished the night with. These two tracks back to back rocked the place senseless. Overall an amazing performance from the group who have a bright future ahead of them.
Reviewer : Holly Kekel
Photographer : Joshua South
[nggallery id = 1030]